Model-Based Systems Engineering Pilot Program at NASA Langley

NASA Langley Research Center conducted a pilot program to evaluate the benefits of using a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach during the early phase of the Materials International Space Station Experiment-X (MISSE-X) project. The goal of the pilot program was to leverage MBSE tools and methods, including the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), to understand the net gain of utilizing this approach on a moderate size flight project. The System Requirements Review (SRR) success criteria were used to guide the work products desired from the program. This paper discusses the pilot program implementation, provides SysML model examples, identifies lessons learned, and describes plans for further use on MBSE on MISSE-X. I. Motivation Model-Based Systems Engineering techniques are used in the System Engineering (SE) community to address the need for managing the development of complex systems. A key feature of a MBSE approach is the use of a model to capture the requirements, architecture, behavior, operating environment, and other major aspects of the system. The focus on the model differentiates MBSE from traditional SE techniques that may have a document centric approach. In an effort to assess the benefit of utilizing MBSE on its flight projects, NASA Langley has implemented a pilot program to apply MBSE techniques during the early phase of the Materials International Space Station Experiment-X (MISSE-X) project. MISSE-X is a Technology Demonstration Mission being developed by the NASA Office of the Chief Technologist i . Designed to be installed on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS), MISSE-X will host experiments that advance the technology readiness of materials and devices needed for future space exploration. As a follow-on project to the highly successful series of previous MISSE missions on ISS, MISSE-X benefits from a significant interest by the science and engineering community. New features of MISSE-X will address customer needs based on prior MISSE history and reduce return mass in the post-shuttle era. The goals of MISSE-X present a number of SE challenges. The increased capability and complexity of the platform design over previous MISSEs, a larger and more distributed community of participating investigators, and expanded use of ISS robotics for installation and servicing all contribute to a greater need for systems-level vigilance. The pilot program aimed to implement MBSE techniques, including the development of a model using the Object Management Group (OMG) Systems Modeling Language (SysML), to help the SE team address these challenges. The deliverable work products for the pilot program were identified based on the success criteria defined by NASA for the System Requirements Review (SRR). The SRR is a gate in the project life cycle that ensures that the system requirements and interfaces have been properly identified, and that at least one feasible design has been proposed.